What is the biggest flak gun?
Although it was not produced in great numbers, it was reportedly one of the most effective heavy AA guns of its era….
| 12.8 cm Flak 40 | |
|---|---|
| Mass | 17,000 kg (37,478 lbs) |
| Length | 7.835 m (25 ft 8 in) |
| Barrel length | 7.8 m (25 ft 7 in) 61 calibers |
| Shell | 128 x 958mm R |
What was the best anti-aircraft gun ww2?
Flak 37
FHCAM – 88 mm Flak 37 Anti-Aircraft Gun. The “88” was the most famous and feared artillery weapon of World War II.
Are flak guns effective?
As for a true anti-aircraft gun (A SPAAG, primarily), they are of decent effectiveness against low-flying fixed wing aircraft, and can be deadly if used against helicopters; however, they are also typically quite vulnerable to anti-radiation missiles (as in order to have any chance of tracking and hitting most targets.
How effective was flak in ww2?
“Flak in the Second World War was very effective. Most of the official Allied histories downplayed its role. Low and medium level flak was even more effective. More American 8th Air Force aces were shot down by flak than enemy fighters.”
How did flak shells work?
Flak as we know it ( the exploding ordinance variety ) works by using fuses. One may use a timed fuse in the shell. After so many seconds, the shell would detonate like a times bomb. Another, is a barometric fuse, a fuse that’s triggered when a certian altitude is reach by measuring air pressure.
Are Bofors guns still used?
For anti-aircraft guns, the standard is arguably the 40mm Bofors. It packed a punch – about two and a half ounces of high explosives as used by the United States. Bofors is actually a Swedish company, and Sweden was neutral in World War II. The gun is still produced today, and is still seeing action.
Why is flak called flak?
If you’re taking flak, chances are you’re in a bad situation and taking fire from an enemy. Flak can refer to criticism — or worse, explosive shells from an antiaircraft weapon. Flak came into English as an abbreviation for the German word Fliegerabwehrkanone, meaning ‘aircraft-defense gun.
How do flak guns work?
The versatile 88mm cannon was Germany’s main heavy antiaircraft—or “flak”—gun during World War II. When an 88mm projectile exploded at altitude, it sent out jagged metal fragments that tore through nearby aircraft. The rings around the barrel represent aircraft shot down by the gun crew. …
How much did an 88mm shell weigh?
The 8.8 cm KwK 43 (Kampfwagenkanone —”fighting vehicle cannon”) was an 88 mm 71 calibre length tank gun designed by Krupp and used by the German Wehrmacht during the Second World War….8.8 cm KwK 43.
| 8,8 cm KwK 43 | |
|---|---|
| Shell weight | 7.3 kg (16 lb) Armor-piercing composite rigid (APCR) Pzgr 40/43 |
| Calibre | 88 mm (3.46 in) |
| Elevation | -8° to +15° |
What made the German 88 so good?
The 88 earned its reputation as the best overall gun of the war. It was justifiably feared by Allied airmen, tankers, and foot soldiers because of its accuracy, lethality, and versatility. The weapon was deployed on German tanks, as an antitank gun, an assault gun, and for antiaircraft purposes.
What is the 2 cm Flakvierling 38?
Indeed, it came as a surprise when Rheinmetall introduced the 2 cm Flakvierling 38, which improved the weapon just enough to make it competitive again. The term Vierling literally translates to “quadruplet” and refers to the four 20 mm autocannon constituting the design.
What is a Flakvierling weapon?
The Flakvierling weapon consisted of quad-mounted 2 cm Flak 38 AA guns with collapsing seats, folding handles, and ammunition racks. The mount had a triangular base with a jack at each leg for levelling the gun. The tracker traversed and elevated the mount manually using two handwheels.
What is a vierling gun?
The term Vierling literally translates to “quadruplet” and refers to the four 20 mm autocannon constituting the design. The Flakvierling weapon consisted of quad-mounted 2 cm Flak 38 AA guns with collapsing seats, folding handles, and ammunition racks. The mount had a triangular base with a jack at each leg for levelling the gun.
What is a Flak 30 and Flak 38?
The Flak 30 ( Flugzeugabwehrkanone 30) and improved Flak 38 were 20 mm anti-aircraft guns used by various German forces throughout World War II. It was not only the primary German light anti-aircraft gun but by far the most numerously produced German artillery piece throughout the war.
